02.10.2024
Dublin Parishioners Get to Work on New Home for Cambodian Family
Fourteen members of the Parish of Castleknock and Mulhudart with Clonsilla are currently in Cambodia to help build a new home for a family living in poverty. Working alongside builders from Habitat for Humanity in Cambodia, their mission is a partnership between Habitat, the parish and the family in Phnom Penh. The parishioners and Habitat are working with Sreymao, a 43 year old factoryworker, in Trapang Anhchanh 4 village in Porsenchey District, Phnom Penh. The Revd Colin McConaghie has sent the following update:
The team of 14 arrived on Saturday afternoon following almost 24 hours of travel. Tired but excited we were greeted by Erickh, our host co–ordinatior from Habitat for Humanity Cambodia.
Sunday was a day to explore as we visited one of the many Killing Fields sites along with the notorious S21 detention camp where prisoners were detained during those harrowing years under Pol Pot and the Khmer Rouge regime. This was a moving experience but also give us a real insight into the recent history of this beautiful country we had arrived in.
In the evening we had a briefing from Habitat staff members Erickh and our building co–ordinator Piset. We were given an overview of Habitat’s work along with health and safety information for our time on site.
Monday was an early start as we headed out of the city to the site where Sreymao and her family’s new home will be built. We were greeted by Sreymao and her husband Kosal along with the local builders from Habitat for Humanity.
Our host family welcomed us with Sreymao saying: “They were so blessed that people had travelled so far to help them build their new home”. On behalf of the team Rev Colin brought greetings from our churches and from Habitat Humanity Ireland stating: “It was a privilege for us to be welcomed into your community and to play a small part in ensuring your family have a safe home”.
Building began in the 30 plus degree heat with mortar to be mixed and concrete pillars to be assembled. Communicating in signs and smiles our host builders and host family gave us lots of direction and help as layers of bricks began to emerge.
It was a really encouraging, if not exhausting, first day as the team and locals bonded and children came along to say hello and watch with interest the new arrivals. The team assured the builders as we debriefed that it was a “great days craic” teaching our new friends their first Irish phrase.
